Convertible bed.



PATENTED NOV. 15, 1904.

M. L. EVANS.

CONVERTIBLE BED.

APPLIOATION FILED me. a, 1904.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

N0 MODEL.

No. 775,131. PATENTED NOV. 15, 1904:.

M. L. EVANS.

CONVERTIBLE BED.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 3, 1904.

N0 MODEL. ZSHEBTSSHEBT 2- 776x 3?? Z074 null 26 i g g/zizasaea, 45 Mg V UNITED STATES Patented November 15, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

CONVERTIBLE BED.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 775,131, dated November 15, 1904.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MARY L. EvANs, a citizen of the United States, residing at \Vashington, in the District of Columbia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Convertible Beds, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to convertible beds; and the object thereof is to construct an article of furniture having the general appearance of a sofa or a chair and which can be readily converted into a bed.

The invention further aims to construct a convertible bed which shall be simple in construction, strong, durable, readily foldable into a chair or sofa, as the case may be, ornamental and pleasing to the eye when converted into a sofa, chair, or bed, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

'ith the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists of the novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more specifically described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In describing the invention in detail reference is had to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views, and which illustrate the adaptation of the invention to an article of furniture termed a sofa-bed, the invention being also applicable to an article of furniture which is termed a convertible bed.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of an article of furniture constructed in accordance with this invention when converted into a bed. Fig. 2 is a similar view with the foldable spring-frame and mattress removed. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of an article of furniture constructed in accordance with this invention when converted into a sofa, and Fig. i is an elevation of the foldable spring-frame partly extended and broken away at one side.

The article of furniture in accordance with this invention, whether constructed to have the appearance when folded of a sofa or a chair, is formed of three members, one of which is termed a "foldable supporting-frame, an-

other a sectional foldable spring-frame, l

constituting when extended a bed-spring and when folded the back and seat of the sofa or chair, and the otherof said members is termed a "foldable cushion," constituting when foldedthe cushion for the seat and back of the sofa or chair and when extended the mattress for the bed.

Referring to the drawings by reference characters, the foldable supporting-frame is formed of a stationary and an adjustable section, and said stationary section consists of a front and a rear pair of supporting-legs 1 2, having vertical extensions 3, to which are secured the horizontally-extending bars at, forming arurrests. The vertical extensions 3 of the front and rear legs, as well as said legs, are connected together by the side brace members 5. The legs 1 2, the extensions 3, bars 4, and brace members 5 may be of any suitable design, so that the sofa or chair when folded will be pleasing to the eye. The legs 1 2 are also connected together through the medium of the inwardly-extending flat supporting members 6 6, which are secured at their rear ends upon the top of the inner portion of the legs 2 and at their front ends upon the top of the inner portion of thelcgs 1, as wellasabutting against a shoulder 8, formed on the said legs 1. The supporting members 6 6 are connected together through the medium of the transvcrsely-extending brace-bars 9, one of which is arranged at the rear of said members 6 6 and the other of which is arranged near the front of said members 6 6. The transversely-extending brace-bars 9 are attached at one end to the members 5 6 and at their other ends to the members 5 and 6 in any suitable manner. The upper face of each of the supporting members 6 6, near the rear thereof, is provided with a recess 10, and near the front thereof with a recess 11, said recesses forming seats, and the function thereof will be hereinafter referred to. The adjustable section of the supporting-frame consists of a pair of flat side bars 12 12, having connected to the outer end thereof a transversely-extending cross-bar 1 L. The side bars 12 12 are of the same width as the members 6 6 and form a support in a manner as hereinafter referred to, and said side bars 12 12 are hinged at their lower ends to the rear ends of the members 6 6, as at 15.

Each of 3 tion of which will be hereinafter referred to.

the side bars 12 12 has secured to its outer The front end of the side bars 31 are connectedge a forwardly projecting bead 16, which may be suitably ornamented, and each of the side bars 12 12, near the top thereof, has secured to its forward face a forwardly-projecting strip 17, which forms a continuation of each of the extensions 3 of the rear legs. The strips 17, in connection with the bead 16, form what may be termed recesses for receiving a portion of the extensions 3 of the rear legs when the adjustable section of the supporting-frame is folded to such position, so as to form the back frame of the sofa or chair. The cross-bar 14 is also secured to the top of the strip 17 and is of a width so that the front thereof will be substantially flush with the forward edge of the strip l7. The cross-bar 14 is ornamented in any suitable manner, so as to be pleasing to the eye,

and is provided in its lower face with a recess by the reference character 20, for retaining the adjustable section in its adjusted positionthat is to say, when the said adjustable section is moved to various inclined positions with respect to the stationary section of the supportingframe. Any known means for this purpose can be employed. The adjustable section is further provided with a pair of legs 21, which are connected together by a bar 22 and hinged to the side bars 12 12, as at 23. The legs 21 are adapted to support the outer end of the adjustable section when the article of furniture is converted into a bed.

The sectional and foldable spring-frame consists of the front section 24, intermediate section 25, and rear section 26. The front section 24 is constructed of a pair of side bars 27, having their outer ends connected together through the medium of the front bar 28, and to said front bar 28 is secured an ornamented member 29, which forms the front of the seat of the chair or sofa when the article of furniture is folded to have the appearance of a sofa or chair and also prevents seeing any portion of the spring-frame or rather prevents the exposing of the intermediate section of the spring-frame. The side bars 27 and the front bar 28 of the front section has any suitable form of woven-wire spring connected thereto, and said spring is indicated by the reference character 30. The intermediate section 25 consists of a pair of side bars 31, each provided with a groove 32, the functuberances 38.

The adjustable section of the ed together by a transversely-extending brace member 33, and the rear end of the side bars 31 are connected together by a transverselyextending brace member 34. The members 33 and 34 are secured to the underneath face of the side bars 31. Any suitable form of woven-wire spring, as indicated by the reference character 35, is attached to the side bars 31. The rear section 26 consists of a pair of side bars 36, connected together at their rear by the cross-bar 37 and provided at their front end with the forwardly-extending pro- Any form of woven wire spring, as indicated by the reference character 39, is secured to the bars 36 and 37 of the rear section. The inner end of the front section 24 is hinged to the intermediate section 25 through the medium of a pair of elo'ngated links 40, said links 40 being attached to the section 24, as at 41, and also attached, as at 42, to the intermediate section 25. The links 40 operate in the grooves 32. The intermediate section 25 is pivotally connected to the rear section 26 through the medium of.

the pivots 4.3,extending through the protuberances 38. The sectional and foldable springframe is folded in the following manner: the front section upon the intermediate section and the rear section at an angle with respect to said intermediate section. WVhen the springframe is extended, the links 40 enter the forward part of the grooves 32, which cause the front section to be in horizontal alinement with the intermediate section, and the rear section is moved to horizontal alinement with the intermediate section and when in such position is supported by the side bars 12 13 of the adjustable section of the supportingframe. To prevent any vertical movement being given the rear end of the front section when it is in its folded position, the said front section 24 carries a pair of bolts 44, arranged in grooves 45, and said bolts 44 are adapted to be moved rearwardly and extend through openings 46 in the rear section 26, thereby connecting up the sections as Well as preventing any movement being given to the rear section when it is mounted upon the intermediate section. When the front section is folded upon the rear section, the same constitutes the seat of the sofa or chair, and when the rear section is folded to a position at an angle with respect to the intermediate section then said rear section constitutes the back of the sofa or chair.

The foldable cushion consists of the tick 47, having a filling of any suitable description. The top portion of the tick is of greater length than the bottom portion, which forms a flap 49, and said flap 49 when the cushion is in position is adapted to surround the cross-bar 37 of the rear section 26 of the spring-frame. The front of the cushion when in position to l l l l l porting members 6 T, and the side bars 31 of j the intermediate section 25 of the springframe rest upon the supporting members 6 7. \Yhen the article of furniture is converted into a bed, the adjustable section of the supporting-frame is lowered and is supported by the legs 21, the latter being lowered for such purpose, and the front section A of the springframe is moved to the front of the stationary section of the supporting-frame, and said front section 2% is supported in such position through the medium of a pair of legs &8, which are hinged to the section 2 said legs being foldable, so they can be moved to a position within the section 2i. The cushion is then extended and completely covers the springframe. The legs that support the adjustable section of the supporting-frame are of such height as to position said section at a slight inclination. hen the article of furniture is converted into a sofa or chair, the forward part of the cushion is folded upon itself, and when the adjustable section of the supportingframe is moved toward the stationary section, so as to form the support for the back, the rear section 26 of the supporting-frame, as well as the flap portion of the cushion, extends up in the recess 18, and in connection with the member 29 the sofa or chair has the appearance of an upholstered article of furniture.

It is thought the many advantages of an article of furniture constructed in accordance with the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. will .be readily understood, and it will, furthermore. be evident that changes, variations, and modifications can be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages, and 1 therefore do not wish to restrict myself to the details of construction hereinbefore described and as shown in the accompanying drawings, but reserve the right to make such changes, variations, and modifications as come properly within the scope of the protection prayed.

Having thus fully described my invention, what 1 claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. An article of furniture consisting of a sectional spring-frame, a foldable cushion mounted thereon, and a foldable supporting-frame for said spring-frame and foldable cushion, said supporting-frame adapted to inclose one end of said spring-frame and said foldable cushion.

2. A convertible article of furniture comprising a sectional and foldable supportingframe constituting when folded the base and back support of an article of furniture, a foldable and sectional spring'f'rame constituting when folded the seat and back of a convertible article of furniture, and a cushion mounted upon and inclosing a portion of said springframe, said supporting-frame adapted to inclose a part of said cushion and spring-frame.

3. A convertible article of furniture in volving a supportingframe consisting of a stationary and an adjustable section, said adjustable section provided at one end with a recess, a

foldable spring-frame consisting of a plurality of sections hinged together and adapted to be supported by said supportiug-frame and having a portion thereof extending in the recess of the adjustable section of the supportingframe, and a cushion mounted upon said spring-frame and adapted to extend into the recess of said adjustable section of the supporting-frame.

4:- A convertible article of furniture of the character set forth involving the combination with a suitable support, of a spring-frame formed of a foldable front, a foldable rear and a stationary intermediate section,said intermediate section provided with a pair of grooves, said rear section provided with a pair of forwardly-projecting protuberances, pivots extending through said protuberances for connecting the rear section to the intermediate section, a pair of links operating in said grooves and connected at one end to said intermediate section and at their other end to the rear of said front section, said front section adapted to be folded upon said intermediate section and said rear section adapted when folded to extend at an angle with respect to said intermediate section.

5. A convertible article of furniture of the character set forth involving the combination with a suitable support, of a spring-frame formed of a foldable front, a foldable rear and a stationary intermediate section,said intermediate section provided with a pair of grooves, said rear section provided with a pair of forwardly-projecting protuberances, pivots extending through said protuberances for connecting the rear section to the intermediate section, a pair of links operating in said grooves and connected at one end to said intermediate section and at their other end to the rear of said front section, said front section adapted to be folded upon said intermediate section and said rear section adapted when folded to extend at an angle with respect to said intermediate section, and means carried by the front section and adapted to engage in the rear section for preventing the separation of the front section from the rear section when the front and rear sections are in their folded position.

6. A convertible article of furniture of the ITO character set forth involving the combination with an extensible spring-frame, of an adjustable supporting-frame for said spring-frame, said supporting-frame consisting of a stationary and an adjustable section hinged to said stationary section, said adjustable section .provided with a recess adapted to receive one end of said spring-frame.

7 A convertible article of furniture of the character set forth involving the combination with an extensible spring-frame, of an adjustable supporting-frame for said spring-frame, said supporting-frame comprising a stationary and an adjustable section hinged to said stationary section, said stationary section consisting of two pairs of legs having vertical extensions connected together at their top by bars, and further comprising a pair of flat supporting members for said spring-frame, said adjustable section consisting of a pair of side bars connected together at their front ends by a cross-bar having an elongated recharacter described involving the combination with an extensible spring-frame and an adjustable supportingframe for said springframe, of a cushion mounted upon said springframe and provided with a flap adapted to surround one end of said spring-frame.

9. A convertible article of furniture of the character set forth involving the combination with a suitable support, of a spring-frame formed of a foldable and extensible front, a foldable rear and a stationary intermediate section suitably connected together, said front section having connected to the forward end thereof a bar of greater width and length than the front of said section, said front section adapted to be folded upon said intermediate section and said rear section adaptedwhen folded to extend at an angle with respect to said intermediate section, and means carried by the front section and adapted to engage the rear section for preventing the separation of the front and rear sections when the springframe is folded.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MARY L. EVANS.

Witnesses:

N. LoUIs BOGAN, F L. THOMPSON. 

